A gentle reminder to myself.....

Thessalonians 4:11-12 ........make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: you should mind your business and work with your hands, just as we told you to, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.....

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Thursday, 27 October 2011

Frugal, frugalish, not so frugal and free! P.S I've given up, giving up swearing!

Some how, I don't think the paint is going to make it onto the wall of its own accord!  However,  I'm only heating my house with prepaid wood and not buying gas!
 Hi everyone,

Many, many thanks for the messages of support. There are things I can say on this blog and things I can't say, and I can't say why. It does feel as if I have the thought police breathing down my neck and it irks me to the point of the utter fucking depths of misery, but I live in a complicated world and I'm not actually allowed to say or do as I please. Enough of that and I'll move on. And no, I don't have a book deal............but there's an idea!

Dearly Beloved and I went on a shortened and slightly later than planned anniversary trip. It was eventful. We went over to France in a force 8 gale (or as the Shipping Forecast said........cyclonic). I medicated myself with some Jack Daniels and strapped myself (I mean fucking literally!!!!) to my bunk and got there on time and in one piece! The weather instantly improved when we got there and we had the most lovely forty eight hours in Morlaix, St Pol de Leon and Roscoff. We had a frugalish 'menu formule' in of all places, a local supermarket restaurant for 12 euros for a three course lunch, with wine and coffee. We had coffee and croissants sat in market squares and had the loveliest of times. We also did what we rarely do in the UK: we shopped. We stayed in a thirty nine euros a night hotel which was warm, friendly, did a good breakfast and had lots of deep hot baths!!!!


I am no wine specialist. I've been on wine tasting evenings and after the third bottle, it all tastes the same to me. We've bought five litre boxes and many many bottles. Mostly for around 1.09 a bottle, which in UK pounds is a pound a bottle. Here, the cheapest paint stripping plonk you can buy is about £3.99 a bottle. I now have a year's supply, plus gifts for family and friends for the next year. We will go back within a year............but it's better to be safe than sober  sorry! So, there's the frugalish - wine with a 75% discount.

We don't have a Netto store near us. Oh the very joy of the place! I noticed there were no Brit cars in the car park but kept hearing familiar accents. So, I found where the Brits abroad go shopping. We did the usual thing of buying the local cheese, wine and onions (they are pink and so fragrant and delicious) and I added a couple of new plastic bowls to my 'chariot' at a euro each. After washing our hands, in cold water of course, we use the water to flush the loo. I think it's a sin to flush the lav in pure drinking water, so we continue, even in our debt free state, to use second hand water in the toilet. (Oh, that's the frugal bit)
Finally and most importantly, a massive thanks fort Ali for sending me some Lacura eye creme and serum. She bought them for herself and didn't suit her and she very thoughtfully sent them on to me. I am so very grateful and even though life it a deep crevice of shite at the moment, I am astride it without wrinkles! (That's the free bit and it has really cheered me xxxxxxxx All my love to Ali!!!!)

 Frugalish,  I was sent another discount code for shoes! If you go to the Clarks website, with the discount code of BERRY, you can get 20% off and free postage. Everyone needs shoes at some time. On a deeply frugal note! I haven't used any gas for a month! I also made a payment off my mortgage capital and will be on target to pay off 10% of the balance this year and hopefully, will do so again next year.

p.s - I don't like odd numbers so if six of you, who are not already followers, could become so, it would tidy up the numbers xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Again, thanks everyone. I'm dragging myself out of this and I couldn't have done it without you xxxxxxxxx

All my love Froogs xxxxxxxxxxxxx

67 comments:

Ruth said...

It's so good to hear from you again! I really missed your posts and frugality.

leerling said...

Yay! You're back. I am SO pleased. And you seem to be in one piece also, which is grand. Glad you had a lovely holiday.
Keep your chin up & keep smiling (e.g. don't let the buggers grind you down).

saving for travel said...

Good to have you back.

Sft x

tana50 said...

I kept checking back and there you were!!!! I can't tell you how happy I am that you are back with all your frugalness. I shall dance in the fog this morning!!

Sue said...

Yay, so pleased to have you back with us Froogs. Sounds like you had a lovely few days away. Keep smiling and blogging! Sue x x x

karyn.barua said...

YAAY!!! SO pleased to see you back:-)

craftynutts said...

glad to see your back PLEEEEESSSSSSSEEEEEEEE dont leave us again

Suze said...

I am so glad you are back. You were greatly missed. It sounds like a wonderful break too.

lavender attic said...

I echo what everyone else has said. Missed your straight talking and common sense. So glad you're back. Chin up! x

silversewer said...

Sop glad to have you back, I missed you and your patter so much, well done on the mini break, OH and I spent a holiday in Brittany many years ago, he spent the first 2 days in hospital in Morlaix, so I got to know it quite well.

Sarah said...

Go forth and multiply is always a good alternative I find or instead of when the doo doo hits the fan I use when the midden hits the windmill!! Have to say swearing is probably something I'm incapable of giving up!! Good to have you back gal- don you tin hat.
Sarahx

Sol said...

so pleased to see you back!

Have you tried the aldi Lacura shimmer moisturiser? Hells bells that is some good stuff. it is like Clarins sensitive moisturiser and Estee Launder spotlight shimmer. Mixed together for the bargain price of £1.99, instead of approx £55.

again super pleased you are back.

Maria said...

So glad you're back!

Lula said...

*waves frugal pompoms* may the force be with you.

netty68 said...

Welcome back Froogs, we've all missed you! Sounds like a fun half-term break for you both. Yaa boo sucks to the 'thought police' folk, shove them in room 101 where they belong!

SusieMay said...

So relieved you're OK, Froogs. Your previous post sounded so worrying.
We spend a lot of time in France and love the way of life. If in doubt about the wine see what the French buy. They know what they're doing.
Another time look for Noz - it sells off ends of line, customs seizures, excess stock etc at a fraction of shop prices. Generally chaotically presented, stock changes all the time and includes food, cloths, household, DIY, furniture, plants etc.

I_Want_A_Simpler_Life said...

Hooray! So so so good to have you back. You were so sorely missed.

And really heartened to read about your trip away.

Welcome back!

x x x

l.m.hart said...

Im so glad your back, i have missed reading your blog , I know what you mean about standing astride a deep ravine, life in my household is carp at the moment, we are climbing out adn every time we get near the top some bugger (hmrc) comes and stands on our fingers and down we go again.
My daughter has paid for us to stay in a hotel in folkestone with a day trip to france for Christmas and we go in Dec, so im looking forward to stocking up on cheap plonk.
Once again soo glad your back
and well done on the mortgage overpaying
xx

CTMOM said...

So glad to see you are back, and good for you to sneak away for a few days in France, I am jealous!

Bitsy Beans said...

Glad to have you back Froogs x don't let the bastards gring you down xx

littleanna said...

I am glad you are ok and back.It was testing everyone's imaginations as to what could have been wrong.
I wish you would give up the swearing again - the only thing I'm not keen on- maybe when you get it all out of your system

sam said...

Great to have you back, have been checking every day like everyone else. Don't mind the swearing - get it off your chest!!

Carole said...

Good for you that you're back ! But your previous post, now the "thought police"... are things that don't sound nice at all. It reminds me of the episodes of "The Prisonner" that we watched when I was young and I found them very worrying !
If you ever can make it to Alsace one day, I'll very gladly host you !

Eileen said...

Not allowed to do or say what you please? I thought it was a free country with just that right. Anyway, pleased to have you back. Your frugal wisdom is irreplaceable and we all love and need you.

carol hardie said...

Hooray your back,missed you!glad you had a lovely little break,that wine sound's good!

Muriel said...

Glad to see you back !
I am not really a wine drinker, but when I do buy some I never spend more than 4 or 5 € for it, I don't really get the point of spending a small fortune on a bottle of wine !

Eeek said...

Glad to see you back Froogs - don't let the bastards get you down!!! Eeek and Weeny

sue15cat said...

I don't blame you for having given up giving up swearing!!

Welcome back. Maybe you should get a book deal then you can say exactly what you want.

Sue xx

treeswhereyousit said...

Delighted you are back! And had such a great break! KBO is our family motto; that's exactly what you're doing, so good on you!

Kim said...

YAY!!! You're back!! Fab news. Sorry life is shite right now - keep smiling hun - at the very least it'll confuse the barstewards who are getting you down xxx

Frugal Down Under said...

Welcome Back - I was worried I would no longer have my junkie shot of The Frugal Queen!!!

willow said...

It is so wonderful to have you back. Also nice to hear you had a lovely break. Keep smiling and please keep blogging. We all love you xxx

Campfire said...

Nice to see you back. I can also recommend the shimmer moisturiser from Aldi. I wouldn't buy any other brand now, it's so good.

Your fireplace looks really lovely.

zuvers said...

I enjoy your writing so much and am learning a lot. Good to see you back.

Grinny said...

tI,m so glad you are back. I hve been checking everyday. Love from Lindel in Australia.

Sandie said...

I've never given up swearing, esp at blogger on occasions!
Glad you had a good Mini hols.
Envious of your bowl for 1Euro! I use a 'Maggi' ex- soup box (from the Nursing home I used to work, they used to throw them away, also got lots of large marg tubs, some with lids to organise my craft stuff), the box is used in the washbasin, then emptied into a 99p big bucket and at the end of the day if I haven't done a no2(!) I give the loo a good flush with the bucket. I must admit a round bowl would be easier than a square one but hey, it was free!

Glad you're back,
Hugs,

Sandie xx

Gill - That British Woman said...

good to see you back.......

Gill in Canada

brendie said...

hmmmmm all tastes the same after how many bottles FQ?
;)

Alison said...

I've been following your blog for ages, but have not left you a comment. I am so glad you are back - I really missed your posts, I do look forward to them every day! Your trip does sound brilliant x

winniesgirl said...

I am so relieved that u are back! Love your blog, it is so inspiring-u should write a book-there is definitely a need for your common-sense, good advice, & optimistic outlook! Hang in there!

Jen said...

Another one who has been checking back every day (and sometimes more than once). I am so glad that you are back.

And, as someone who is "high up" in school administration, I would not be upset if any of my teachers posted what you've posted. But not all administrators are the same!!

Jae-Jae said...

I'm glad you had a few days of fun. & super glad to see you back, as I've really missed reading your posts.

Eileen M said...

Great to see you back.

willywagtail said...

So happy to see you back in our world. Hope life evens out a touch for you.
http://www.crunchybetty.com/
is a site that may help you with super cheap-out of your own kitchen skin care. Cherrie

lazylol said...

Phew - glad to see you back, i've missed your posts!

Janice said...

hey, good to see you a-blogging again, your testcard was depressing me! I blogged fairly recently about a hol to France, and we spent some hours in Roscoff due to necessity, and I found it to be a lovely, lovely surprise of a place. And I LOVE French supermarket shopping.

heleng said...

So glad you're back and not letting the buggers drag you under. Sounds like you had a lovely anniversary break. Keep on keeping on, you're doing a great job.

lindsey said...

I am sooooo pleased that you are back. Good to read your posts again xx

tralala said...

Froogs - we can all read between the lines - even if you can't crayon outside them at the moment :) Glad you feel you can come back to blogging; your trip to France seems very timely as well as bargainistic.

dubgirl said...

Its great to see you back blogging, the break sounds delightful x

Lindz24778 said...

You are back!!!!!! Woo Hoo!!

Make Do Style said...

I was a logical person and thought alls well with you and dearly beloved, that if you had a book deal (I'll try and help on that one) you'd be under no pressure not to say!

I'm thinking work or something to do with work being the thorn but you know best thing to do carry on with what you want to do. Obvs toe the line 'technically' but your a clever, strong, single minded person who can achieve and defeat whomever/whatever you like

And great tips/info as ever xx

Jane in London said...

Welcome back! Nil illigitimi carborundum, as they say...

Jane

willow said...

So wonderful to have you back. Nice to hear you had a lovely break, you deserve it. Keep smiling and please keep blogging. Sending lots of love xxxxxx

planetcoops said...

So glad to see you're back. I hope things smooth out for you soon.

Jak said...

Glad to see you back and glad that you are not letting the a-holes get you down. I think you deserve a good swear-up!
Jak x

Toffeeapple said...

Good to have you back with us, I hope that you will not have to be too restrained!

Marjorie said...

Glad you are back. I have missed you. So nice you had a lovely holiday and got some frugal gifts. I wish I could convince everyone in my house to flush with used water but no success yet. I hate wasting water.

Mac n' Janet said...

So glad you're back!!!! And you should write a book!!! Loved your writing about wine, it always amazes me what they charge for it. We're originally from California and my brother-in-law and sister-in-law are always raving about California wine, but to us it just tastes like turpentine. If I drink wine, which isn't often, it will be a dry German white.

shoestringalley said...

Yay - glad the Lacura goodies arrived (was a bit worried about the one in the glass bottle! Also very glad that you're back with us again :) Made me laugh that you mentioned the Clarks voucher code because I've just used it to get the most gloriously comfortable work shoes I've EVER owned! Happy wine drinking...xx

Astra said...

really glad your back, i've been checking every day anyway! x

beyondastralskies said...

Delighted and relieved that you're back......we missed you. Amanda.

learning slowly said...

WOOHOO so glad youre back Foogs!!!!

Diana said...

You've made my day !!!
So good to have you back. I've really missed you.

Diana

Libellula said...

I am glad some wine from my area found its way up to you. Hope you liked it!!

jeanie said...

such a delight to go to your blog and see recent posts, and funny to read comments by someone who can swear at my level. sometimes it's the only way to get your point across. please do take care.

cumbrian said...

Welcome back, a bit late I know, but we've been away as well.

Nice to read somebody else enjoys the French wine trips, it's one we do perhaps once or twice a year, enjoy the odd glass (or two) and always a bottle of the sparkling stuff on hand to give as a gift, usually very well recieved.

Notice you want a few more of us to join, be happy to oblige, how do I do that?

And don't stop the swearing, it adds reality.